Boosting Employee Wellbeing: Innovative Programs

The data is conclusive: employee wellness programs are a win-win for the employees and employer. These initiatives can boost overall employee health while improving workplace morale and productivity. If implemented and maintained properly, the ROI on a wellness program can be many times what you put into it.

Technology is playing a role in the effectiveness of wellness programs and bringing new and innovative ideas to the concept. Here's a closer look at some innovative employee wellness initiatives that business owners should know about.

The Role of Innovative Wellness Programs

Research from the job search firm Zippia has shown that 7 out of 10 employers who implement wellness programs were able to reduce their healthcare expenses. Absenteeism fell by as much as 19 percent at companies that offer employee wellness initiatives. The average return on investment that companies saw due to offering wellness programs was 6:1.

A significant statistic for employers is that 87 percent of prospective employees consider health and wellness an important part of their job search -- and they're talking about more than just a good deal on a health insurance plan.

Top Wellness Programs to Consider for 2025

Wellness days are growing increasingly popular among companies. These are days off in addition to an employee's earned PTO. The industry standard is to offer 2 to 4 wellness days per year to each employee. These extra days off allow employees to "recharge their batteries" and de-stress.

Psychological safety initiatives are also growing in importance. In many ways, these initiatives are similar to what we used to refer to as a positive company culture.

Implementing psychological wellness means providing a workplace where employees feel comfortable expressing opinions, admitting mistakes, or trying new ideas without fear of punishment or retaliation. It's about creating a space where everyone feels safe to contribute openly and honestly. Research indicates that companies that foster psychological safety see improved retention and employee engagement.

Corporate wellness platforms are online tools that take a holistic approach to the mental and physical health of employees. Popular features included in these platforms include nutrition tracking, physical activity tracking, and stress reduction strategies. Employees have shown increased levels of workplace engagement when offered access to these platforms. The digital format allows them to access and use the tools on their own time.

Strategies for Implementing Wellness Programs

Identify the goals of a wellness program for your employees and base your initial budget on that. It's okay to start small, as long as you understand that you should be adding programs and features over time as the program(s) evolve.

Include employees in the planning stage when creating a wellness program. Which sort of programs will bring them the most benefit? Which ones will more people participate in, thus giving you more bang for your buck?

Select a digital wellness platform that can provide a diverse set of initiatives, from fitness challenges to smoking cessation to parent coaching for employees with kids. A digital platform will keep employees more engaged, while also allowing you to track the effectiveness of various offerings.

Be flexible and ready to adapt the wellness offerings over time to continue improving the program!

Case Studies and Success Stories

The city government of Mesa, AZ, opened a near-site wellness center in 2015 for its employees and family members. The center offered services such as annual physicals, wellness exams, episodic care for acute issues like migraines, health coaching, and a pharmacy.

The center costs $1.6 million a year to operate. The city reports that the wellness site saves approximately $1 million per year in reduced absenteeism and improved employee retention, while also reducing annual healthcare costs by another $1.3 million. The result was a net $700,000 in annual savings.

Johnson & Johnson saved an estimated $250 million on healthcare costs over ten years due to its corporate well-being strategies. Between 2002 and 2008, the company's ROI was $2.71 for every dollar it spent on wellness initiatives. The company mainly focused on smoking cessation, programs to manage high blood pressure, and mental health at work.

How Exact Payroll Supports Workplace Wellness

Exact Payroll can help your organization facilitate and enhance wellness programs through our employee benefits programs. Whether you're a small business or a larger company, we can help streamline and simplify your employee benefits processes. We utilize innovative automation, data-driven insights, and dedicated support services to assist our partners in benefits administration. Group term life insurance, 401k programs, disability insurance, supplemental lines, and insurance benefits can all be made easier with our expertise and proprietary tools.

Conclusion

Employee wellness programs have proven to save costs, improve retention, and create a healthier and happier workforce in many instances. When properly implemented with the right platform and incentives, these programs can improve your company's bottom line in many different ways.

Transform Your Workplace with Exact Payroll’s Benefits Solutions – Learn More Today!